Stuff

Stuff.  It’s a word that can relate to a lot of things, and we all can relate to.  For example, the stuff that’s going on in your life, the stuff you have to do, the stuff in your head that’s blocking your sinuses, or even the stuff you have in your fridge to make something for dinner.  These are not all-inclusive examples by any means.  We’ve all got our stuff and it comes in all different forms because that’s what stuff is, right?

I’d like to talk about a particular kind of stuff for this post.  The stuff in my house.  I have a lot of it.  Too much.  Way too much.  I’ve been purging my house over the last two weeks; a house I’ve lived in for just over 22 years.  I have so much stuff that I can’t deal with it.  It’s overwhelming me.  One day, among all the stuff I became so overwhelmed that I sat down on the floor, slithered down is more like it, and started to cry.  How did I get in this mess?  How could I let this stuff accumulate?

Where Did All This Stuff Come From?

I’ve never thought of myself as a hoarder.  I like to think of myself as more of a pack rat.  I come from a long line of pack rats on both sides of my family.  We like to keep everything – just in case.  I have a bad case of the “just in cases.”

During this household purge, I found childhood books that I was saving for my future child that never arrived.  I found clothing belonging to my mother and brother who have both moved on to Heaven.  I found pictures of relatives from the 1800’s that I don’t know (obviously) and from the early 1900’s, too.  I have furniture and nick-nacks that my mom left me.  Parting with those things from my mom, even though they are not my current taste, would be painful and would also feel a little bit sinful, too.  My mother bequeathed these things to me.  I should keep them for the rest of my life, right?

And then let’s talk about the stuff I have accumulated on my own.  For those that know me well, it’s no secret that I love to shop.  I’ve even been a personal shopper on occasion for friends and coworkers. I’m good at it.  I can find almost anything you are looking for.  Just put me to the task!  Apparently, I’m too good at it because my basement and closets are filled to the brim with stuff that at some point I thought I couldn’t live without.

There are books (a favorite thing of mine to purchase), baskets, photo frames, crystal, blankets, sheets, floral arrangements, kitchen appliances, practically the entire line of Pampered Chef products (I sold it at one time and love the stuff, but clearly have too much!), Christmas decorations for three houses at least, and more!  Oh, and CLOTHES! I have enough clothes to stock a small store. I took 50 pairs of shoes to Goodwill for goodness sake! Fifty! Apparently, I like to look good, because that’s where my biggest investment of time, energy, and money have been. Again, all this has been just a bit overwhelming.

There is light in the closet!

Yes!  There is light in the closet! Through this whole experience, I am starting to feel a bit lighter, a bit more free! I realize that I don’t need a bunch of stuff in my house and in my life to make me feel better or feel good about myself. All that stuff is extraneous. It’s just stuff. I can’t take it with me when I leave this earth, and I can certainly stand to live with a bit less of it in the here and now.

I now want to focus on simplicity. For me, that means buying what I need and not what I think I want at any given moment. I’m looking forward to this new experience awaiting me. I’m going to do my best to get rid of this extra stuff and stick with it. After all, it’s just stuff. It’s not me and it doesn’t define who I am. I am Donna. I am not my stuff.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe you have stuff in your home, like me, that you really don’t need. Maybe the stuff in your life is different. The point is, we all have stuff. And no matter the form your stuff takes, just be careful not to stuff your stuff down.  What I mean is don’t ignore it. Eventually, you will choke on your stuff if you do. Take charge, break free! I promise you the feeling is amazing!  Until next time…

Note:  The photos in this post are stock photos and not actual photos of my stuff.